A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, Creative Essay Example

Director’s Concept

The diction of the play was clearly pronounced throughout by using easy to understand dialogue as well as exciting spectacle. The director’s purpose of the play was to show irony, deception, tragedy and simple virtues of life that any married couple might encounter through life. People often enter into commitments without knowing each other and make sacrifices with good intentions but deceptions ruin friendships. It is only through the learning of the inciting incident where Nora vows to tell Torvald of her deception and Krogstad’s love for her puts him in an empathetic position that we are able to see Torvald’s true colors. This playwright is unique for its artistic perspective which gives it a multitude of vision to the audience where decisions in ‘ordinary life’ have to be made. The acting is the only way to reinforce the main concept of the play for it is through the illustration of ideas and concepts through catharsis that the play comes to life and takes on a real life meaning. This play should be produced in every play house from New York to London because it is a classic by its own virtue. It depicts a theme full of passion, anxiety and real life drama that all audiences love! This projection defines women’s place in society for a first time whilst questioning Nora’s character!

Design Concept

Upon opening Act, the set is filled with a Christmas tree, gifts for the children and Nora dancing merrily about. This scene was chosen to depict a happy home filled with virtuous forthcomings of a lovely family. A scene or set of the play encompasses Nora in a fancy dress ball gown or ‘tarantelle’ which is symbolic of her ‘Doll World’ coming to an end. This is true to Ibsen’s production of bringing the plot of the play into action.

The original setting was in Scandinavia and Germany in the main room of the Helmer’s home. The lighting was somewhat dimmed and the costumes were made of simple plaid dressage for the women and three piece attire for the men. The director’s blocking was behind the curtain whilst the play was in production. The plot of the play was enhanced through the usage of costumes, lighting and the realistic setting. This choice was a true depiction during the times the director wishes to portray.  Dress rehearsals were accomplished prior to commencement of the first opening Act. The giving over of the play was cemented after all dress rehearsals and final rehearsals were accomplished. The director worked on the technical perspective of this play to have this play organized and fit for production in order to depict this era of time both physically and emotionally.

References

Ibsen, H. A Doll House Retrieved April 22, 2010 from, http://plays.about.com/od/plays/a/dolls_summary.htm

A Doll’s House Retrieved April 22, 2010 from, http://www.lakeshoreimages.com/college/programs/DollsHouseProgram.pdf